Author Topic: Brain Tanning (Read 8283 times)

RyanR · « **on:** November 08, 2014, 06:53:41 am »

How many deer brains roughly do you need to tan a deer hide?

lenador · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2014, 07:24:06 am »

I've never done it personally but I've read a lot about it and the idea is to use the animals brain for its own hide.
I M doing my first grin tan right now And I added some water to the brain slurry to stretch the tiny squirrel brain. Another set back is I accidentally crushed his skull when I took him out so retrieveing the whole brain was impossible.
I will let you k ow how it turns out.

Stringman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2014, 08:29:59 am »

1 deer brain per hide, emulsified in a gallon of water. You can substitute a doz eggs fort the brains.

Aaron H · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2014, 09:15:10 am »

I am not positive on this, but from what I have heard every animal has enough brain matter to tan it's own hide. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Scottski · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2014, 12:11:47 pm »

Yes falcon that is what I have heard also.

tipi stuff · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2014, 01:16:39 pm »

Most of the old tanning mixtures used by Plains people for bison hides used more than just the brains. Almost every written account mentions grease, which was probably more likely bone marrow grease. The modern version (like using Knox gel for hide glue) would be pure neetsfoot oil. Curtis

aaron · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2014, 02:35:41 pm »

Like stringman said, one is enough, but it is usually easier to just use eggs.

JW_Halverson · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2014, 02:42:55 pm »

Quote from: Falcon on November 08, 2014, 09:15:10 am

I am not positive on this, but from what I have heard every animal has enough brain matter to tan it's own hide. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

One notable exception... career politicians!

(I fully expect to get a good hard slap on the wrist from the Mods for that one!)

Zuma · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2014, 03:59:35 pm »

Hence, Egg Head.
Zuma

stickbender · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2014, 05:21:54 pm »

Quote from: JW_Halverson on November 08, 2014, 02:42:55 pm

One notable exception... career politicians!

(I fully expect to get a good hard slap on the wrist from the Mods for that one!)

Now, J.W., that was a good pun, However I am sure that isn't true, after all to quote Will Rogers, "We've got the best politicians money can buy."!! OK, OK, I will sit next to J.W. for the hand slapping, but it was a good one, and have you heard any of them speak? then you know he was right on the money. Like Uncle Joe Biden, "I remember when I was a kid and President Roosevelt went on national T.V."

.... or "Well, when Germany bombed Pearl harbor."

.... alright, I will hold out my other hand. Move over J.W....

Wayne

Scottski · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2014, 11:09:25 pm »

LMBO!!!!

Pappy · « **Reply #11 on:** November 10, 2014, 06:38:05 am »

Nothing political about that JW, just a true statement ,1 per hide, every critter has enough brain to tan it's hide, I didn't know what she meant at the time but my Grand Mother use o tell me I didn't have enough brains to tan my own hide when I would something stupid.

Pappy

neuse · « **Reply #12 on:** November 10, 2014, 08:03:49 am »

I just bought Deerskins to Buckskins by Matt Richards.

Really good book, this guy knows how to convey what's needed to tan so that it is understandable.

Pappy · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2014, 08:11:05 am »

Yep that is a good book.

Pappy

JW_Halverson · « **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2014, 02:08:33 pm »

Quote from: neuse on November 10, 2014, 08:03:49 am

I just bought Deerskins to Buckskins by Matt Richards.

Really good book, this guy knows how to convey what's needed to tan so that it is understandable.

From the sheer number of times I have heard people recommend that book, I have to assume it qualifies as a good reference on the subject.

Primitive Archer